Apparatus for pressing trousers and other articles



F. J. CLARK 2,021,224

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING TROUSERS AND OTHER ARTICLES Nov. 19, 1935,

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 22, 1954 F. J. CLARK 2,021,224

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING TROUSERS AND OTHER ARTICLES Filed Oct. 22, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 AZ/QFZIJKJ Nov. '19, 1935.

M\\\\\\\\L. fl Q F. J. CLARK 2,02

ERS AND OTHER ARTICLES Nov. 19, 1935,

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING TROUS Filed Oct. 22, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jay/1 Patented Nov. 19, 1935 APPARATUS FOR PRESSING TROUSERS AND OTHER ARTICLES Application October 22,1934, Serial No. 749,391

14 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for pressing or ironing the seams of trousers legs or pressing analogous tubular articles requiring pressing at opposite sides of the leg or tube. While the apparatus is' particularly suited for the operation of opening out and pressing flat the edges of the inside and outside seams of trousers legs as is done in the finishing of the trousers, the invention is not restricted to apparatus for this purpose but applies also to apparatus for pressing other articles of tubular shape.

The objects of the invention are to produce a practical and desirable ironing or pressing apparatus suitable for the stated purpose; also to provide a pressing or ironing apparatus of improved construction having a double-faced ironing board or table over which the tubular articles are adapted to be slipped and stretched-so as, to lie smooth-and flat and which is reversible toenable n20.1ill'St one side and then the opposite side ofthe tubular article to be placed uppermost in position stor pressing; also to provide an apparatus of the type mentioned which can be quickly and easily ..;operated with the minimum exertion and noise;

. '25, whichwill be strong and durable; and which has :the other features of advantage and improvewment hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In .the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in longitudinal, ..vertical section, of a pressing apparatus embody- 1 ingthe invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse, sectional elevation thereof on line 2-2, Fig. 1.

showing respectively a trousers legon the ironing board before and after stretchingthe leg.

Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse sections of the ironing board on an enlarged scale on lines 5-5 9. and 6--6 respectively, Fig. 1.

I Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view of the apparatus on line 1-1, Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view-ofthe ironing board or table and article stretching mechanism. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal, sectional, view .on an enlarged scale on line 9-9, Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional elevation on anenlarged scale on line Ill-40, Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a transverse, sectional elevation on line ll-H, Fig. 1, showing the mechanism for a reversing the ironing board.

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional elevation on line l2-l2, Fig. 1, showing the treadleoperating mechanism for. the article stretching means.

- Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are sectional elevations of :Figs. 3 and 4 are plan views, on a reduced scale,

the ratchet mechanism: for reversing the ironing board, showing difierent positions of the parts thereof.

Fig. 16 is a sectional plan view on line. l6l6, Fig. 11. 5

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings comprises a double-faced ironing board or pressing .tableEEi over which the tubular article .to be pressed is slipped endwise and which is mounted so that it can be inverted to place either of its-10 opposite faces uppermost, means for stretching the tubular article smooth on the pressingv table, operating mechanism for the stretchingmeans, and operating mechanism for reversing the pressing table.

Preferably the pressing .16 table consists of two parallel ironing boards 2| which are secured together face to face in spaced-apart relation, by Li -shaped brackets 22 between and to Whichthe two, boards, are .suitably fastened, as by screws.;- Rigid with and extending lengthwise fromnone end of the pressing table is a supporting spindle or tube 23 which is rotatably mounted in, suitable spaced bearings 24 and 25 on a stationary supporting frame which, as shown, has a hollow por-;.-25 tion 26 which rises from one end of a horizontal base 21 and supports a separate cover or housing Bea enclosing said bearings. The base 2'|.extends horizontally beneath the pressing table, and is adapted to rest on and be secured to the. floor/ In the preferred construction shown, a metal channel bar 28 is rigidly attached at its inner end to the outer end. of the spindle 23 and extends therefrom lengthwise between the spaced ironing boards, this channel bar being bolted or otherwise rigidly fastened to one of. the ironing boards 2| and to the spacing brackets 22 for the, boards,

whereby thetwo boards are rigidly secured to the channel bar 28 and, through the medium of thelatter, to the supporting spindle 23. Thus, the pressing, table, while being rotatably or reversibly mounted at one end only, thereof, is nevertheless firmly supported so that its overhangingouter end will not sag or deflect appreciably in the use of the apparatus.

The supporting spindle 23 is turned in its supporting bearings 24 and 25 for reversing ,the pressing table toplace one or the other ironing board uppermost in pressing position, preferably by treadle-actuated mechanism constructed, as= follows:

Fixed to the spindle 23, within the housingZBa is a toothed gear pinion 30 which meshes; with a gear wheel 3| rotatable on a stud axle 32 which is fixed on andprojects from the bracket 33 of 5 the spindle bearing 25. The pinion 3% shown has thirty teeth, and the gear wheel 3| has seventyfive teeth, so that by a one-fifth revolution of the gear wheel ill, the pinion 30 is turned onehalf of a revolution for turning the pressing table from a position in which one ironing board 2| faces upwardly to a position in which the other ironing board 2! is placed face upward. The gear wheel 3! is rotated for this purpose by a ratchet mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel 314 bolted or otherwise fixed to the gear wheel 3|, a pawl 35 which is adapted to engage in peripheral notches in the ratchet wheel 36 and is pivoted on a pawl lever or carrier 36 journalled to rock on the stud axle 32. The pawl lever is connected by a rod or link M to an arm ('33 fixed on a horizontal treadle shaft 39 which extends lengthwise over the base 2? of the machine and, is journalled near its opposite ends in suitable bearings 41), 4! on the base. The rod Si is suitably pivoted at its opposite ends to the pawl lever and to the arm This ratchet mechanism is enclosed within the frame housing iii-a of the frame. A treadle A2 is fixed to the treadle shaft 39 at its outer end portion, preferably in engagement with the inner end of the outer bearing i! for the treadle shaft so as to prevent outward endwise movement of the treadle shaft, which is prevented from opposite endwise movement by a collar on the shaft engaging the inner end of the inner bearing til. By depressing the outer end of the treadle 42, which projects forwardly in convenient reach of the foot of the operator standing in front of the machine, the pawl lever is swung through an arc suficient to rotate the gear wheel 3| one fifth I of a revolution.

In. order to limit the extent of the turning movement of the gear wheel 3! and to hold the pressing table withone or the other of the two ironing boards in horizontal position suitable for pressing the article thereon, a lock or dog 45 is provided which is suitably pivoted at 56 on the bearing bracket 33 and is provided at its free end with a tooth adapted to enter one or another of the peripheral notches ll in the ratchet wheel The toothed free end of the dog 15 is held by a spring E8 against and adapted to ride on the .circular periphery of the ratchet wheel 3%, and

when the ratchet wheel has been turned by its operating mechanism to a position to place either of the ironing boards horizontallyup-ward, the

tooth of the dog will be opposite to, and will be projected by the dog spring into one of the notches of the ratchet wheel, as shown in Figs. 1 and 13. In this position of the parts, the tooth of the dog 45 by engagementin the notch of the ratchet wheel, will hold the ratchet wheel, and

' therefore the connected gear and pressing table stationary, and against turning in either direction. At this time the pawl, pawl lever and treadle 42 will be in the raised positions shown in Figsql and 13.

When the treadle 32 is depressed for reversing the pressing table, during the first portion. of the downward movement of the treadle, the pawl lever 36 and pawl 35 will move independently of, or relatively to the ratchet wheel, until the pawl fully enters the adjacent notch of the ratchet wheel. This free movement of the pawl lever is sufiicient for a trip projection 49 on the pivoted end of the pawl lever 36 to engage the inner free end of a trigger 5t pivoted at 5! on the dog 35, and press this trigger against a stop pin 52 on the dog, thereby swinging the dog out of engagement with the notch in the ratchet wheel. The

for turning the ratchet wheel, until the dog is moved by its spring into the next notch of the ratchet wheel and arrests the ratchet wheel with the pressing table in the inverted position,

in which position the pressing table will be locked by the engagement of the locking dog in I the notch of the ratchet wheel. The trip projection 49 preferably consists of a plate: adjustably secured, as by screws Add, on a lug on the epawl lever, thus permitting adjustmentof the trip plate relatively to the trigger to insure correct coaction of these parts. When the depressed treadle 42 is released, it will be raised or returned toits normal position by a counterweight 53 on the pawl lever at the opposite side of the lever pivoted from the pawl. In the return movement of the treadle the trip plate 49 will strike the opposite side of the inner end of the trigger 50 and tilt the trigger on its pivotal connection with the dog sufficiently to permit the trip plate to pass by the trigger without moving the dog, which remains in engagement with the notch in the ratchet wheel, thereby holding the same and the pressing table with which the ratchet wheel is connected, stationary and in the position to which it was moved by the depression of the treadle. Thus, it is not necessary to hold'the treadle down by the pressure of the foot thereon in order to'hold the pressing table stationary, but it is simply necessary to depress the treadle until the movement of the ratchet wheel and pressing table is arrested and locked by the engagement of the dog' 45 with the next notch in the ratchet wheel.

In the use of the apparatus for opening'and pressing flat the seams of trousers legs, one leg of the trousers, which have been turned wrong side out, is slipped onto the pressing table over the free end thereof, with one seam facing up: wardly, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and the trousers leg is stretched or expanded to lie smooth on the pressing table by the leg stretching means. These means comprise two streching bars 66 extending along opposite edges of the pressing table to move laterally in and out between the spaced ironing boards 2|. The stretching bars 6|! are movably supported by link mechanism, being,

I as shown pivoted adjacent their inner end portions to the outer ends of a pair of links 6| which are pivoted at their inner ends' to a slide block 62 movable longitudinally in the channel bar 28, and adjacent their outer ends, each stretching bar being pivoted to the outer ends of oppositely inclined or toggle links 63, 64. Links 63 are pivoted at their inner ends to a slide block 65 and the links 64 are pivoted at their inner ends to a stationary block or part 66. The slide block 65 is arranged to slide lengthwise in the channel bar 28 while the block 66 is fixed to'the channel bar. The links 6|, 63 and 64 are moved to spread and contract the stretcher bars by a rod 61 which extends lengthwise through the pressing table and its spindle. Preferably, this rod passes through holes in the lugs on the blocks 62, 65 and 66 and is movable lengthwise in the central bore of the spindle '23. The slide block 62 is fiXed,.as by a set screw, to the rod and moves with the rod, and a spring 68 surrounds the rod the links! and inner ends of the stretcher bars,

"and -the spring 68 will be compressed andmove the slide block 65 andlinks-BZi-and 64 to spread differentwidths and different tapers. "l6 indi- -cates a spring surrounding the rod 61- between a the outer ends of the stretcher bars apart for 1 stretching the outerendof the trousers leg on the pressing table. This spreading means-enautomatically accommodating itself to legs of the block 62 and the end of the spindle for cushioning the inward or retracting movement of.

the rod 61 and stretching bars 60.

- The rod 67 is shifted lengthwise to spread and contract the stretcher bars, preferably by a treadle actuated mechanism constructed as fol.-

" lows:

" represents a treadle which is fixed on the "outer end of a tubular shaft or sleeve-16 which surrounds the treadle shaft 39, and is suitably mounted to rock, as in bearings ii, on the machine base 21. An arm 18, fixed to the inner end of the tubular shaft 76 is connected by a rod orlink 19 to a lateral arm 80 of a bell crank 'lever which is suitably pivoted within the housing 26a of the stationary frame.

An upstanding arm 8! of this lever has a forked upper end having a pin and slot connection with a collar'82 surrounding the spindle 23 of the pressing table and adapted to be slid along said spindle bydepressing the treadle i5. Slidable within the hollow spindle23 and fixed on the stretcher rod 51 is a collar 33 which is provided with studs 8t projecting through longitudinal slots 85 in the spindle into an internal annular groove 85' in "the outer collar 82.

Thus, the inner collar is adapted tobe slid lengthwise in'the hollow spin- 'dle by longitudinal movement of the outer collar "'82 while nevertheless the spindle with the inner collar is adapted to revolve in the outer collar. The rod 61 is thus adapted to be moved longitudinally'for spreading the stretcher bars by, depressingthe treadle 15. A counterweight 8'! connected toa third. arrn' 89 of the bell crank lever is provided for raising or returning the treadle and the connected mechanism to their normal positions when the treadle is released.

In order to hold the trousers leg stretched b the stretching -mechanism while pressing the seam, without requiring the operator to hold down the treadle '15 by the pressure of his foot thereon, a holding device 9!] for the treadle 15 is provided. This holding device preferably con- -sists of a lever suitably pivoted at its lower 'end on the base 27 of the stationary frame adjacent the treadle l5 and having an arm extending upwardly adjacent the treadle l5 and provided with ratchet teeth 9| arranged to engage a projection 92 on the treadle 15. This projection is adapted to engage with one or another of the teeth SI for holding the treadle depressed to different extents, as may be necessary, to properly stretch different trousers legs. The ratchet arm is releasably held in engagement with the projection of the treadle by a spring 93 arranged between the frame base 21 and a foot or treadle plate 94 on the holding device. This treadle plate projects forwardly in a position to be conveniently operated by the operators foot for moving the holding device to release the treadle 15. When the treadle i5 is depressed, it Will be held down by the ratchet holding device 90, and when it is desired to release the treadle to remove the stretching pressure on the trousers -l'eg, it is simply necessary to 1 press slightly 01f thetreadle plate of the holding-device to thereby, release the treadle '15 and permit the return o'f thesameto its normal raisedposition. 5

95 represents a shock absorber for reducing. shock, wearand noise in'the operation-"of-the apparatus. This device preferably consists of' a hydraulic shockabsorber of well known type *com- 1 [prising a casing and a movablepiston or member lo therein, the-movement of which is retarded or checked, as required, to suitthe intended purpose of the device by suitably controlling the *flow of liquid which-opposes motion of the movab1e member. As shown; the casing of this 'shockab l5 sorber is fixed on the supporting bracket *of the treadle shaft bearing 40, and a swinging'arm- 96, which moves-with the piston, is connected as by'a link 91, to the rocker arm-38 of the treadle actuated table reversing mechanism. This-shock absorber is adapted to cushion-For check the motion of the treadle at the finish'of its downward movement for reversing the pressing table,.and when the treadle is'released." and I the reversing'mechanism is returned to'its initial position by the counterweight- 53, thejshockabsorber is adapted tosimilarly check or cushion the motion of the mechanism at the finish of its return movement. The pressing tableis'thus adapted to be reversed by a quick depression-of the treadle, which can be easily moved "by the foot of the operator,*but the motion of theme'chanism. at the finish'of its operative and return movements is adapted to be cushioned by. the shockabsorber so as to prevent undue shock,

strain and wear on the table lock and reversing mechanism and reduce the noise of operation of the apparatus to 'the'minimum.

Theapparatus shown is provided with a shelf or table 98 stationarily secured'to the frame'and m extending beneath the pressing: table for supporting portions of the articles beingjpressed which may hang down from the pressing-table and thereby hold them from contact with-the a locking device operating to hold said pressing* table stationary with either of its pressing surfaces upperm'ost, and"reversing mechanismfor said pressing table which when operated releases said locking device to permit the reversalof the pressing table.

2. The combination of a pressing table having .opposite pressing surfaces and reversibly mounted for placing either of said surfaces Tuppermost, a locking device for holding said pressing table in each of its reversible positions, a6 treadle, and mechanism operated by said treadle 'for actuating said locking device to release the table and for reversing said table.

3. The combination of a pressing table having opposite pressing surfaces and reversibly mounted for placing either of said surfaces uppermost,

a ratchet mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel operatively connected with said table for reversing the table by turning said ratchet wheel, a locking device cooperating with said ratchet wheel for holding said table stationary in each of its reversible positions, and operating mechaniSm which actuates said locking device to release said ratchet wheel and turns said ratchet wheel for reversing the table.

4. The combination of a pressing table having opposite pressing surfaces and reversibly mounted for placing either of said surfaces uppermost, ratchet mechanism for reversing said pressing table, a locking device cooperating with said ratchet mechanism for holding said table stationary in each of its reversible positions, an operating device for said ratchet mechanism, and means actuated by said operating device to move said locking device to release said ratchet mechanism when said operating device is actuated "to operate said ratchet mechanism for reversing thetable.

6. The combination of a pressing table having opposite pressing surfaces and reversibly mounted for placing either of said surfaces uppermost, V

a ratchet wheel geared to said pressing table, a pawl for turning said ratchet wheel, a locking device for holding said ratchet wheel from turn ing, and operating means for actuating said look ing device to release said ratchet wheel and for actuating said pawl to turn said ratchet wheel for reversing said pressing table.

'7. The combination of a pressing table having opposite pressing surfaces and reversibly mounted for placing either of said surfaces uppermost, aratchet wheel geared to said pressing table, a

pawl for turning said ratchet Wheel, a carrier for said pawl, a locking device for holding said ratchet wheel from turning, means for operating said pawl carrier for turning said ratchet wheel, and

cooperating parts on said pawl carrier and locking device operating to release said locking device when said pawl carrier is actuated by turning said ratchet wheel.

8. The combination of a pressing table having opposite pressing surfaces and reversibly mounted for placing either of said surfaces uppermost, a treadle, mechanism carried by said reversible table and actuated by said treadle for stretching a tubular article on said pressing table in either pressing position of the table, and treadle actuated means for reversing said pressing table to place either of its pressing surfaces uppermost.

9. The combination of a pressing table having oppositepressing surfaces and reversibly mounted for placing either of said surfaces uppermost, two adjacent treadles, mechanism carried by said reversible table and actuated byone treadle for stretching an article on said pressing table in either pressing position of the table, and mechanism actuated by the other treadle for reversing said pressing table.- r i J 10. The combination of a pressing table having opposite pressing surfaces and reversibly mounted for placing either of said surfaces uppermost, af treadle shaft, a tubular shaft surrounding said treadle shaft, a treadle on each of said shafts for rocking the shaft, mechanism operated by rocking one shaft for stretching the article on said pressing table, and mechanism operated by rocking said other shaft for reversing the pressing table.

l 11. Thelcombination of a pressing table having opposite pressing surfaces and reversiblyls mounted for placing either of said surfaces uppermost, a treadle, mechanism carried by the pressing table and actuated by said treadle for stretching a tubular article on said pressing table in either pressing position of the table, a treadle- 30 released holding'device for said treadle, another treadle, and mechanism actuated thereby for reversing said pressing table. 7

12. The combination of a pressing table having opposite pressing surfaces and reversibly a mounted for placing either of said surfaces uppermost, two adjacent similarly arranged treadles, mechanism actuated by one treadle for stretching the article on the pressing table, mechanism actuated by the second treadle for reversing said the motion of said treadle actuated mechanism at the finish of its return movement.

14. The combination of a pressing tablehaving opposite pressing surfaces and reversibly mounted for placing either of said surfaces uppermust, treadle actuated mechanism for revers-v ing said pressing table, a locking device for stopping the reversing movement of the pressing table and for releasably holding said table stationary with either pressing surface uppermost, means for returning said treadle mechanism when released to its initial position, and a shock absorber cooperating with said treadle actuated (mechanism to retard the motion of the treadle mechanism at the finish of its operative and return movements. I V 6O FREDERICK J CLARK. 

